Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-04-27
THE NEW TREATMENT FOR CONSUME
TON.

1t has been a ~favorite theory in medi-
cal science that if right remedies could be
safely applied to the diseased surfaces OF
the lungs, consumption could be cured.
The French claim to have discovered the
method of this application, and expert
ments made in American cities give it the
c~ountenance of strong probability. "Hy-
drogen sulphide is an antiseptic for blood
poisoning" says an authority, but applied
to the arterial system largely, produces
death" The French discovery consists of
treatment by enema by which the agent
employed acts upon the veins, and is
thrown off by the act OF respiration. When
the method was reported from the French
faculty some months age, the statement
was received with a great deal of incredul-
ity, but according to the New York Tn
6une patients have been treated by gaseous
enemata in New Orleans, Buffalo, Chicago
and Philadelphia with success; and it
adds:
III every case |cOnsumptlVeS IN an advanced
stage OF the disease have been experimental
upon, and without exception with favorable re-
suits In the Chicago case there was an imme-
date reduction of pulse and temperature, a ma
terlal dlminution of eXpectOratiOn and a cessa-
ton of night sweats and in the other instances
an equal improvement in the symptoms is re-
corded. In Philadelphia the enemata have
been applied IN 100 cases, and while the sur
Seons OF the Home for ~Consumptiyes, the Ger
man Hospital and the University Hospital hold
conservative views ofthe therapeutic value of
the treatment, their Judgment on the whole is
markedly favorable to it.
1t is not claimed by the French physician
who discovered its uses and safety, nor by
those who have since adopted it, that it is
q specific in advanced cases of the disease.
but that it affords great relief, while in the
early stages Of a case the disease may be
eradicated. The gas used is a mixture of
carbonic acid and sulphuretted hydrogen.
The instrument used for administering the
remedy, according to the PolYciinic, quoted
by the Tribune, has been devised by a Phil
adelphia surgeon, and closely resembles
that used by DR.. Bergson in Lyons origin
ally.
The experiments made must be based
upon authenticated formulas, and most of
the European and American hospital sur
geons now have accurate knowledge of the
proportions of the gases, and the necessary
steps to be taken and precautionary guards
to be employed. In Terre Haute, Indiana,
IN the present month, the case of a Mr..
Jay, a mailer" was treated. To all appear.
ances he was fast failing under consump-
ton, or what is known as "nailers' con-
sumption. He had been losing flesh at the
rate of two pounds Il week; his pulse was
ia, his temperature l03. Under the first
three days of treatment he gained half a
pound. and in seven days his pulse de-
clined to 50 and his temperature to 9S. He
slept well, and much of the previous ner-
vousneSs left him. As proof that the gas
had passed through his lungs within three
minutes after its administration a sheet o.
paper, dipped in an acetate of lead solu-
ton, was held in front of his face, and the
breath of the patient turned it black. II
cannot be said that the new discovery has
as yet positively demonstrated that the
treatment will cure consumption, it has
established the fact that its ravages can be
checked, and 1t is confidently believed by
physicians who have given the matter con.
sideration, that if taken at or near the be.
ginning of the assault, the disease can be
driven out.